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Strictly Liam has just weeks to go before his dance debut

It is safe to say that the level of nervous perspiration I produce has increased steadily as we hurtle towards the big day.

These nerves have been accentuated by the fact that hoards of friends, family and colleagues have all bought tickets for the event, allegedly to support me, but I have suspicions they are hoping to see me fall flat on my face.

I would say training has been going quite well for me and my partner Cathy, the main obstacle has been our busy schedules (she is a photographer and I have various pub-related commitments), but in recent weeks we have stepped up our sessions, which has helped a great deal.

A spanner has been thrown in the works, however, by an injury I sustained to my foot during my first attempt at jogging in several months — leaving the dancing world (of Bolton) sweating on my fitness in scenes reminiscent of the national angst expressed after David Beckham’s metatarsal injury ahead of the 2002 World Cup.

Seriously though, it has been great meeting all the dancers who are all doing competing for different personal reasons but ultimately for the same, valuable cause — making money for the brilliant Bolton Hospice and all the important work carried out there.

Any donations would be greatly received at justgiving.com/LiamThorpStrictly.